Meghalaya Assembly Speaker Bindo M Lanong today issued show cause notices to two independent MLAs- Ismail R Marak and Limison D Sangma – who joined the opposition Congress-led Meghalaya United Alliance (MUA).
“I have issued a show cause notice to the two independent MLAs asking why action cannot be taken against them under the Anti-Defection Act,” Lanong said. He the show cause notices were issued on the basis that both had joined the Congress alliance by defying the party whip. “They have been asked to furnish their reply within three days time from today,” Lanong said. Both the independent legislators who defected to the Congress fold on Monday were parliamentary secretaries in the ruling Meghalaya Progressive Alliance (MPA) coalition government.
When asked whether any complaint has been lodged against Urban Affairs Minister Paul Lyngdoh and Health Minister Dr Adviser Pariong, who is one the two Hills State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP) legislator, the Speaker replied in the negative.
Moreover, he said, the letter of Dr Pariong to the Chief Minister simply mentioned his resignation as minister.
With regard to Lyngdoh, the lone Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) legislator, the Speaker had nothing to say.